NYPTA Hosts "CONNECTIONS" Conference & Expo

ROCHESTER, NY (10/28/2015)(readMedia)-- Leaders of the agencies and businesses that keep New York State's public transit systems moving gather this week in Rochester for the New York Public Transit Association (NYPTA) CONNECTIONS Conference and Expo.

Opening on Wednesday, October 28 at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center and running through Thursday, October 29, the program features the transit industry's leading speakers, education sessions and the state's only transit industry tradeshow.

"The continued growth of public transportation is a critical aspect of our future," said Carm Basile, President of the New York State Public Transit Association (NYPTA) and CEO of Capital District Transportation Authority. "Public transit helps revitalize business districts, allows employers to tap into a larger workforce, builds economic revenues and increases property values. Public transit connects many facets of our lives."

Hosted by NYPTA in partnership with the New York State Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration Region II, the conference featured workshops consistent with the theme, led by professionals at the top of their fields.

A conference highlight included an economic forum entitled: "Economic Impact of New York's Transit Manufacturing Industry" moderated by Bill Carpenter, CEO of Regional Transit Service (RTS) and Vice President of NYPTA. Panelists include:

• Chris Boylan, Director of Governmental and Strategic Partnerships, General Contractors Association of New York

• Robert Mowat, VP Sales, Volvo/Nova Bus

• Garry Douglas, CEO, North Country Chamber of Commerce

• Norman Brown, Legislative Director, NY State Council of Machinists

"The economic impact of transit manufacturing is beneficial on a broad range of areas," said Bill Carpenter. "As manufacturing increases, jobs sustain and grow in our communities. The new vehicles produced are sleeker, more environmentally friendly and are more appealing to our riders," said Carpenter.

"New York has the premier transit manufacturing cluster in the nation, if not the world," added Carpenter. "The panel addresses the state of the industry, the opportunities and risks it faces and how the transit industry can improve their advantage in the marketplace."

Rochester was chosen as the site of the NYPTA Conference for many reasons. One significant reason was the recent opening of the RTS Transit Center and its unique, customer-friendly design. Every month, nearly 1,000,000 downtown RTS customers use the building instead of dealing with outside weather worries. Tours of the RTS Center were offered to conference participants.

New York Public Transit Association (NYPTA) is a not-for-profit association representing transit agencies across the state, as well as over 100 private sector manufactures, consultants and state government agencies. Members provide nearly all of the public transportation services in New York State and nearly 40% of the public transportation services in the nation, employing greater than 60,000 New Yorkers.